For me this book was redundant and a little dry. I don't feel like I learned much that I hadn't already heard and she drilled home her points until itFor me this book was redundant and a little dry. I don't feel like I learned much that I hadn't already heard and she drilled home her points until it was almost painful. There were some good things said; I guess just not enough to make up for the rest of the book.And I didn't like her assumptions (yes they are assumptions) that Eve knew exactly what she was doing in making her choice. I don't think we can say that for sure.In fact, there's just a lot we don't know about Eve, so it bothers me when she tries to give answers to questions that, really, we just don't have an answer for...yet....more

An engaging story, although not always pleasant to read for obvious reasons. I was impressed by his ability to describe people and events justly and wAn engaging story, although not always pleasant to read for obvious reasons. I was impressed by his ability to describe people and events justly and without exaggeration. ...more

I can't believe I haven't read this book until now. I have a vague memory of watching the movie in high school, but don't remember being too impressedI can't believe I haven't read this book until now. I have a vague memory of watching the movie in high school, but don't remember being too impressed by it. Such a great adventure story. It was totally predictable, but I loved it anyway!...more

A beautiful book. It reads like a foreign film, contemplative and poetic. I loved the writing style. One part poetry, one part a montage of scenes andA beautiful book. It reads like a foreign film, contemplative and poetic. I loved the writing style. One part poetry, one part a montage of scenes and images, and one part the touching story. It definitely has social commentary of life in South Africa, but I felt it produced thoughtful questions for all humanity. ...more

I'd give it 3.5 stars. It was so interesting for 2/3 of the book. Really wonderful biography about a wonderful man. The last third was kind of rehashiI'd give it 3.5 stars. It was so interesting for 2/3 of the book. Really wonderful biography about a wonderful man. The last third was kind of rehashing everything and it got old. ...more

Such a beautiful story full of love, betrayal, overcoming tragedy, and just life. I love this author. I liked this better than The Kite Runner. It hadSuch a beautiful story full of love, betrayal, overcoming tragedy, and just life. I love this author. I liked this better than The Kite Runner. It had the same tragic beauty as kite runner, but a little less ugly if that makes sense. ...more

Two reasons I wasn't too excited about this book. First, you can never go back to YA literature and be able read it as a young person would. So my perTwo reasons I wasn't too excited about this book. First, you can never go back to YA literature and be able read it as a young person would. So my perspective is obviously an adult one when the book is meant for a younger audience. Yet, there are plenty of YA books out there that I thoroughly enjoy even as an adult. Not the case with this book. I honestly am not sure why it has such rave reviews. Second, I found the story and characters not very believable. Maybe it's because the writing was too superficial or because the characters lacked depth, but I had a hard time getting into the book.I liked how it ended though. :) ...more

I loved this book. It answered a lot of questions I've had about Emma and it introduced some new questions for sure. It actually made me feel more setI loved this book. It answered a lot of questions I've had about Emma and it introduced some new questions for sure. It actually made me feel more settled about the history of polygamy in the LDS church, oddly enough. It definitely isn't the pretty, glorious picture that we usually see in videos about the history of the church. And honestly, with all the research the authors did, some of the "facts" could still be debatable. But, it was just well-written and enjoyable to read. I finished it feeling a little sorry for Emma yet with some feelings of admiration, and without any cause or desire to judge her decisions in any way. I feel the authors wrote as unbiased and objective of a biography as is possible....more

This didn't scare me and I was hoping to be scared. :)Maybe it's because I read it out loud with my spouse. Would it be scarier reading it in my head?This didn't scare me and I was hoping to be scared. :)Maybe it's because I read it out loud with my spouse. Would it be scarier reading it in my head? It was still a fun, little story. ...more

Having reread this recently, I think it's more applicable now than when I read it 15 years ago. I can actually see Bradbury's world becoming a realityHaving reread this recently, I think it's more applicable now than when I read it 15 years ago. I can actually see Bradbury's world becoming a reality. People aren't burning books. But there is a culture where media seems to be taking over and dictating what our ideas should be. A culture where different ideas are not to be tolerated. A culture where the appreciation of truly great art and literature is overtaken by the overvaluing of mind-numbing "twaddle".But, then I get on goodreads and discover all is not lost with the world. ;)Really, when I finished this book I said to myself, "I'm never becoming addicted to the screen!" Who wants to turn out like Mildred, right?...more

I enjoyed this story. While I don't understand the characters' need to go freeze and risk their lives for "glory", I was impressed by their ability toI enjoyed this story. While I don't understand the characters' need to go freeze and risk their lives for "glory", I was impressed by their ability to keep their good humor and take care of each other through the ordeal. (Not to mention their ability to just plain stick it out and be tough.)...more

I've heard of this book for years, but never picked it up. I have to say I'm glad I finally read it. A short story of a young man in a civil war regimI've heard of this book for years, but never picked it up. I have to say I'm glad I finally read it. A short story of a young man in a civil war regiment. It deals more with the youth's psychological experiences, than the actual events of the war. Fascinating look at human nature in the throes of war....more

Interesting story and good writing. I laughed out loud a few times. There were some really great moments. But, I didn't love it. I guess because I likInteresting story and good writing. I laughed out loud a few times. There were some really great moments. But, I didn't love it. I guess because I like to read memoirs or biographies to find heroes. Maude was definitely a survivor, but not a thriver. Her tragedies made her a bitter woman, full of regrets and turmoil. If you don't read memoirs for the purpose of finding heroes, I think you'll like it better! :). Regardless, it really is an amazing story, if tragic....more

Wow, this book was great. Written in '81, so it is dated in some respects. Especially when he addresses legislation concerning schools, and how to accWow, this book was great. Written in '81, so it is dated in some respects. Especially when he addresses legislation concerning schools, and how to access homeschool laws ( before Internet of course). Thankfully, it is easier to access information now, and homeschooling is much more widely accepted by the general public. And yet at the same time, Holt is far ahead of his time with respect to the educational ideas he promotes. I think anyone in education should read this, not just people interested in homeschooling.A lot of his ideas are spot on. I've seen evidence in teaching my own kids, which as holt argues, is the best measure of whether something works or not. We become better teachers by teaching. And especially by teaching in an environment that allows for relaxed observation by the teacher, tweaking approaches for the individual, etc. without constraints of the typical "measuring sticks" in the schools that can kill students' love of learning and the teachers' love of teaching!...more

A fun romance. Like when you just want a light story that entertains and requires little thought. By saying that, I'm not putting it down; A book likeA fun romance. Like when you just want a light story that entertains and requires little thought. By saying that, I'm not putting it down; A book like this has it's place.Let's not put it on the same level as Jane Austen's writings, though...please......more

Read this for bookclub. I enjoyed it. It wasn't earth-shattering, although there were some one-liners good enough for the fridge :)It had good remindeRead this for bookclub. I enjoyed it. It wasn't earth-shattering, although there were some one-liners good enough for the fridge :)It had good reminders, but nothing that I haven't already learned from 13 years of marriage and tutoring from God. Now maybe if I'd read it 13 years ago, I would've benefitted more! I recommend it for anyone throwing pity parties or otherwise struggling with their attitude, ! :)...more

I have mixed feelings about this book. It is extremely informative and well-researched. I totally appreciate that the author herself struggled with HaI have mixed feelings about this book. It is extremely informative and well-researched. I totally appreciate that the author herself struggled with Hashimotos and stubbornly worked to put it in remission. I actually think that's paramount. In my mind, that gives her writing more weight and sympathy.However, all that being said, I found the advice to be contradictory and overwhelming. I understand that part of that is the nature of the disease. It is extremely difficult to pin down solutions, and any solutions cannot be applied to everyone. But one page she'd be recommending a certain diet; the next page she'd be admitting that a lot of hashimotos-ers would have difficulty with that diet. That happened repeatedly and made it hard for me to feel empowered to find a solution. Thankfully, I have a good doctor that has brought me halfway down her recommended path of healing. I think it would be even more difficult for someone just starting out to swallow all the options.Overall it's a good resource, but a little overwhelming....more

I don't know how he does it. He starts out the story and I immediately find myself asking questions about what I believe; do I agree with what the chaI don't know how he does it. He starts out the story and I immediately find myself asking questions about what I believe; do I agree with what the character/s are saying/thinking? Then by the end I'm spellbound and it all comes together with some great truth or principle. And I realize the whole time he was leading me to the truth along the way by making me ask these questions, just like a great teacher would. I need to read another one of his books to figure out how he does it! Or to just enjoy the journey of being taught by a great teacher. :)...more

Really enjoyed this book. It seemed more of a manual for life than just athletics. It was very interesting to read his perspective on the human body,Really enjoyed this book. It seemed more of a manual for life than just athletics. It was very interesting to read his perspective on the human body, the mind and the spirit. I learned a lot....more